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Old Jul 10, 2011 | 10:05 PM
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Default Front springs

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PUT NEW COIL SPRINGS BACK IN
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 06:10 AM
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I placed the springs in the upper and lower control arm. Make sure you get them in the grooves. Then I used a floor jack under the lower control arm and jacked it up high enough to put the spindle on. Do it carefully because you do not want the spring to jump out.

My upper and lower control arm had a spot for each end of the coil. If you don't seat it in there correctly, your car will sit off balance (one side higher than the other) and you will have to pull it out again and spin it a little then put the spindle back on.

Dan
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 08:02 AM
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Originally Posted by dgood
I placed the springs in the upper and lower control arm. Make sure you get them in the grooves. Then I used a floor jack under the lower control arm and jacked it up high enough to put the spindle on. Do it carefully because you do not want the spring to jump out.

My upper and lower control arm had a spot for each end of the coil. If you don't seat it in there correctly, your car will sit off balance (one side higher than the other) and you will have to pull it out again and spin it a little then put the spindle back on.

Dan
This is the method that I used as well. Put the spring in the grooves as described above and then using a floor jack under the lower control slowly raise the lower control arm, compressing the spring, until you can reconnect the lower ball joint. I would use a chain through the spring and around the lower control arm for safety sake,, just in case the spring pops out.
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 08:07 AM
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I just completed a front end job and used a Moog spring which was shorter than the original one.
The first side I had the upper and lower arms on and the spindle connected to the lower arm, it was next to impossible to get the top of the spring in place. I ended up taking the spindle and upper arm off and using a floor jack under the lower arm. After several up and down and shifting the spring aroung, beer, timeout the spring found the upper pocket. The other side when in with little effort.
I should have done the front end first five years ago. My car drives straight, smooth, and no vibration.
Good luck, Mike
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 06:24 PM
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a threaded bar, a couple of nuts and large, thick washers, remove the shocks and put the bar in its placeg
No risk of the spring flying out or the jack sliding away.
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 09:02 PM
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Thanks guys but with the body off and the motor out , the jack lifts frame up
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 10:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Belgian1979vette
a threaded bar, a couple of nuts and large, thick washers, remove the shocks and put the bar in its placeg
No risk of the spring flying out or the jack sliding away.


And set the top of the new spring in the upper spring pocket at the stop and let the bottom seat wherever it may.
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Old Jul 12, 2011 | 12:39 AM
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Old Jul 12, 2011 | 03:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Belgian1979vette
a threaded bar, a couple of nuts and large, thick washers, remove the shocks and put the bar in its placeg
No risk of the spring flying out or the jack sliding away.
And here are some instructions:

http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...617d6fcab54106
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Old Jul 12, 2011 | 04:40 AM
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If you can borrow or rent one of these for free it's the easiest, about 3 minutes per side.

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Old Jul 12, 2011 | 10:58 PM
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I rebuilt the front end in my 79, and I used a spring compression tool. After compressing the spring, you will have to disconnect the lower control arm to get the old spring out and the new one in. The idea is to compress the spring so it's length is less than the distance between the lower control arm and frame mount. This allows you to place the spring in the lower control arm grove so it doesn't squeak. Put the compressed spring between the control arm and frame, and bolt the lower control arm in place. Once that's done, slowly decompress the spring so it rests in the grove, and everything should come together. I hope that helps.
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 05:40 PM
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Hi,
There's a small diameter hole in the bottom of the spring pocket in the lower arm. I believe that the spring should be placed so you can just see the cut end of the coil when you look through the hole. This detail helps get the same ride height on each side.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
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Old Jul 14, 2011 | 06:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi,
There's a small diameter hole in the bottom of the spring pocket in the lower arm. I believe that the spring should be placed so you can just see the cut end of the coil when you look through the hole. This detail helps get the same ride height on each side.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Besides making it even, it also serves as a drain, so it should be clear.
The general consensus it to align the springs from the top, supposedly as the factory did. there is also a guide hole up there.
Small bolts will screw in by themselves with no fuss, temporarily. to butt against, for spring installation.
Here are temp bolts top and bottom.





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